Weird News

New Species a 'Cross Between Teddy Bear, House Cat'

by Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

(NEWSER) – Scientists have discovered the first new mammalian carnivore species in the Americas in 35 years, and it's being met with a resounding "Awww!" (CNN's headline includes the word "cute," while the AP goes with "adorable.") The olinguito "looks kind of like a fuzzball," says the Smithsonian's curator of mammals. "Kind of like a cross between a teddy bear and a house cat." Here's the weird part: Decades ago, an olinguito lived in the Smithsonian-run National Zoo for an entire year, but at the time it was thought to be a member of sister species olingo. Smithsonian scientists announced the discovery today.